| The Lord Howard de Walden | |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 March 1719 Oundle, Northamptonshire |
| Died | 25 May 1797 (aged 78) Audley End, Essex |
| Allegiance | Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Service/branch | British Army |
| Rank | Field Marshal |
| Battles/wars | War of the Spanish Succession Seven Year's War |
| Awards | Knight of the Order of the Bath |
Field Marshal John Griffin Whitwell, 4th Baron Howard de Walden, 1st Baron Braybrooke, KB (13 March 1719 – 25 May 1797) was a British nobleman and soldier.
Born at Oundle in Northamptonshire and educated at Winchester College, Whitwell was commissioned as an ensign in the 3rd regiment of Foot Guards in 1739.[1]
He served in the Netherlands and Germany during the War of the Austrian Succession from 1740 to 1748.[1]
He became Member of Parliament for Andover in 1749.[1] His aunt Elizabeth, Countess of Portsmouth agreed to leave him her interest in Audley End if he changed his surname to Griffin: he did so in 1749, by Act of Parliament, becoming John Griffin Griffin.[1]
He also served in the Seven Year's War from 1756.[1] He was briefly Colonel of the 50th Regiment of Foot in 1759 and was promoted to Major-General that same year.[1]
He was appointed Commanding Officer of the 33rd Regiment of Foot in 1760[1] and promoted to lieutenant-general in 1761.[1] He was also appointed KB in 1761[1] and promoted to full general in 1778.[1]
He was Colonel of the 1st Troop, Horse Grenadier Guards from 1766 and of the 4th Dragoons from 1788.[1]
The Barony of Howard de Walden was called out of abeyance in his favour on 3 August 1784.[1] He was additionally created 1st Baron Braybrooke in 1788.[1] He was made a field marshal on 30 July 1796.[1] He died at Audley End in 1797.[1]
In 1749 he married Anna Maria Schutz and in 1765 he married Catherine Clayton.[1]
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Viscount Lymington |
Member of Parliament for Andover 1749 – 1784 With: John Pollen III Sir Francis Blake Delaval Benjamin Lethieullier |
Succeeded by William Fellowes |
| Military offices | ||
| Preceded by Studholme Hodgson |
Colonel of the 50th Regiment of Foot 1759–1760 |
Succeeded by Edward Carr |
| Preceded by Lord Charles Hay |
Colonel of the 33rd Regiment of Foot 1760–1766 |
Succeeded by The Earl Cornwallis |
| Preceded by Viscount Cantelupe |
Captain and Colonel of the 1st Troop Horse Grenadier Guards 1766–1788 |
Troop abolished |
| Preceded by Benjamin Carpenter |
Colonel of the 4th (Queen's Own) Regiment of Dragoons 1788–1797 |
Succeeded by Sir Robert Sloper |
| Honorary titles | ||
| Preceded by The Earl Waldegrave |
Lord Lieutenant of Essex 1784–1797 |
Succeeded by The Lord Braybrooke |
| Vacant
Title last held by
The Earl of Rochford |
Vice-Admiral of Essex 1795–1797 |
Vacant
Title next held by
The Lord Braybrooke |
| Peerage of England | ||
| Preceded by James Howard |
Baron Howard de Walden 1784–1797 |
Succeeded by Frederick Hervey |
| Peerage of Great Britain | ||
| New creation | Baron Braybrooke 1788–1797 |
Succeeded by Richard Griffin |